A new regulation prohibits Michigan’s largest livestock operations from spreading manure on croplands during the first three months of the year. The ban on waste application during January, February and March was included in an update of a state permit for farms that house large numbers of animals in sprawling barns. It applies to about 260 Michigan farms. The Department …

Daisy Marie (DuVall) Allabach, age 87, of Sturgis, died Wednesday, March 25, 2020, at Thurston Woods Villa in Sturgis, following a long, hard-fought battle with Alzheimer’s. She was born Aug. 24, 1932, in Monroe, a daughter of the late Marcellus F. and Grace Daisy (McCrow) DuVall. From Monroe, where she spent her early years, she moved to Sturgis with her …

Krista Goebel, age 41, of Sturgis, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, March 22, 2020, in Kalamazoo. She was born July 14, 1978, in Alma, to John and the late Teresa (Carmichael) Goebel. She and her family spent her formative years in her hometown of Gaylord, where she graduated from Gaylord High School in 1996 and went on to earn a …

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says golf courses should abide by her stay-at-home order and close down. The guidance issued Thursday is the latest to businesses and operations looking for clarity related to the temporary measure that took effect earlier this week. Whitmer’s office also says 10-cent bottle returns are off-limits and that tobacco shops, cigar bars, vape shops and hookah …

Gerald Steven “Jerry” Waters, age 62, of Colon, passed away on Tuesday, March 24, 2020, at home, unexpectedly, but after a long illness. He was born Oct. 15, 1957, in Richmond, Ind., a son of Roger Waters and Jacqueline (Ayers) Waters. Jerry grew up in Winchester, Ind., and when he was 18 moved to Michigan, where he completed his General …

Judy E. Oxender, age 68, of White Pigeon, died Wednesday, March 25, 2020, at Ascension Borgess Medical Center. She was born July 13, 1951, in Sturgis, a daughter of Maynard J. and Marilyn I. (Stubig) Edson. A graduate of Sturgis High School, she lived in White Pigeon, Constantine and Howe, Ind. A lifelong homemaker, she enjoyed her flower garden, puzzles, …

Jack William Meyers, age 77, of Sturgis, passed away Tuesday evening, March 24, 2020, at Parkview LaGrange Hospital in LaGrange, Ind., following a hard-fought, courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was born Jan. 16, 1943, in Sturgis, a son of the late Harold W. and Lucille E. (Wirsing) Meyers. Jack was a lifelong Sturgis resident and graduate of Sturgis High …

Franklin Howe Fisher, age 71, of Colon passed away Tuesday, March 24, 2020, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. Frank was born April 5, 1948, in Cincinnati, a son of the late George and Dorothy (Howe) Fisher. Frank was raised in Bethel, Ohio, and then Detroit, until he and his family moved to Sturgis and started Fisher Bakery. In the …

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer again is pleading with Michigan residents to stay at home to corral the coronavirus. Meanwhile, the state’s chief medical executive says hospitals with empty beds are stepping up to ease the burden on overwhelmed medical centers. Dr. Joneigh Khaldun says hospitals in southeastern Michigan are “at or near capacity.” Whitmer made an appeal for hospital gowns, ventilators, …

Elaine Woods, age 83, of Sturgis, passed away Tuesday evening, March 24, 2020, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. She was born Jan. 28, 1937, in LaGrange County, a daughter of the late Glen and Helen (Gael) Weldon. Elaine was a longtime resident of Sturgis. Her early life was spent in LaGrange County, where she was a graduate of Mongo …